It was only her second day in Washington, and senior Whitey Samaan was already sitting inside the White House complex. Samaan and her fellow Washington Studies Program students met with the special assistant to the president in the Truman Room to discuss their roles and how the government forms partnerships with community-based organizations. The team […]

It was only her second day in Washington, and senior Whitey Samaan was already sitting inside the White House complex.

Samaan and her fellow Washington Studies Program students met with the special assistant to the president in the Truman Room to discuss their roles and how the government forms partnerships with community-based organizations.

The team also got a sneak peak of the new “My Brother’s Keeper” program that President Barack Obama would be releasing the next day. It was a moment she’ll never forget.

“According to Dr. (Bryan) Sanders, meetings at the White House don’t just happen,” Samaan says. “Without a doubt, this was the coolest experience.”

Each spring, the Washington Studies Program gives students like Samaan a taste of what it’s like to have a career in the capital city. A two-week trip, the program involves a week of sightseeing, briefings and private meetings with politicians and organizations followed by a week-long internship where students shadow government workers. Evangel students who take the class GOVT 492 are eligible to apply for the trip.

“The main purpose of the Washington Studies Program is to give students a behind-the-scenes view of Washington,” Dr. Bryan Sanders, Social Sciences Department chairperson, says. “It exposes the students to life on Capitol Hill to help them to determine if that is an environment they would want to work in.”

Sanders, who has been leading the program for 20 years now, says that through this program, several students receive job offers. Some of the past Washington Studies participants work in Washington today because of this trip.

Sophomore Hannah Beers is already scheduled to go back to Washington for an internship in May. Beers, who interned with Rep. Jason Smith from Missouri’s Eighth District, says that along with helping her set up an internship, the trip helped her gain new perspective on the inner workings of the city where she eventually wants to work and live.

“I see politics and government with a completely new set of eyes,” Beers says. “It’s like a whole new world has opened up to me. The government isn’t one giant thing. It’s a huge group of people working together to make this country the best it can be. It’s not just the news you hear on your television.”

This year’s trip left on February 25 and returned March 8. The team began the week by visiting monuments, museums and government buildings such as the Smithsonian, the State Department and the Pentagon. For Samaan, the most memorable part of the opening week came on the first night as she saw the Capitol Building lit up at night.

“At night, all lit up, it almost looks magical,” she says. “I will never forget it.”

Throughout the week, the team also met with representatives of the White House, the House of Representatives, the Senate and organizations like World Vision, the Heritage Foundation and the Family Research Council.

When the second week began, the students went to work. Some interned with Congressional representatives, while others interned with organizations like the Family Research Council, a conservative research institute that focuses on religious liberty, traditional family values and the right to life.

“I was assigned to projects pertaining to same-sex marriage laws and health policies,” Samaan says. “It was an eye-opening experience to be behind the scenes observing, and taking part in, how a ‘think tank’ operates on a daily basis.”

“Our unique Washington Studies Program allows students from across campus to intern in the office of a congressman, senator or other government office for a week to see what life is like in Washington, D.C.”— Dr. Bryan Sanders Read More

Samaan says her experience with the organization helped her realize where she would like to work in Washington.

“I thought I would love to work for a research institute, away from all the frenzy and chaos on Capitol Hill. However, while at the Family Research Council, I couldn’t stop thinking about Capitol Hill. All I wanted to do was be there, in the middle of all the heated debates and discussions.”

Senior Paul Bayer spent his internship working with Senator Tom Coburn. He said this trip met both his goals, which were to see what life in Washington was like and to make connections with government workers.

“I was ‘thrown into the fire’ as my office put it,” Bayer says. “I was able to get a great feel for the work environment in D.C. is like and made some great connections with the staffers.”

For each of the students on the trip, the Washington Studies Program has left a lasting impression, making some of them hungry to return. And the only regret lies with Beers.

“I saw (2012 vice presidential candidate) Paul Ryan twice,” she says. “Twice! In the same exact location. And I didn’t get a photo. What was I thinking?”

Captain Delana Small knew she wanted to be a chaplain in the armed forces from the time she was 15. Not only did she accomplish her goal, but she is the first female chaplain to be assigned to the 101st Airborne Division — the legendary “Screaming Eagles.” Small deployed to Afghanistan in April. Her husband, […]

Captain Delana Small knew she wanted to be a chaplain in the armed forces from the time she was 15.

Not only did she accomplish her goal, but she is the first female chaplain to be assigned to the 101st Airborne Division — the legendary “Screaming Eagles.”

Small deployed to Afghanistan in April. Her husband, who also is studying to be a chaplain, stayed behind in the states.

Congressional measures were the impetus to opening these positions to women, so all eyes have been on her.

“Because this unit is combat arms, it is a high profile position,” Small said, “but the soldiers don’t care if I am a female. They want to know if I can run and keep up with them, if I can pass air assault school and if I care about their needs.”

“The fact that I was selected, I defer to the sovereignty of God,” Small said. “I know God put me here, in a unit that I would not have even thought to ask for. He wouldn’t have put me here if it weren’t for something He has for me to do.”

Getting started

Small is a graduate of both Evangel University (’08) and Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (’12). While a student at Evangel, she participated in ROTC. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and minors in Military Science, Leadership and Spanish. She received her Master of Divinity from AGTS.

“Evangel was awesome,” Small said. “The fact that they allowed me to get a Biblical Studies degree and participate in ROTC — that partnership was indispensable.

“At Evangel, people are trained to be the best in their field. That’s what Evangel did for me. They didn’t tell me what to think: they taught me how to think. That is so critical.”

Getting out of the comfort zone

Small has been at her new assignment for more than a year now. Before being deployed to Afghanistan, she reflected on becoming acclimated to her first “real job.”

“I don’t know when the day will come that I will not experience a first,” Small said. “The very first week I was at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, I was at the gun line meeting all the guys who were assigned to each gun. One can know Army structure, but every unit, every branch is different. Field artillery has a unique structure. It is critical to learning how to provide ministry to these soldiers.”

Small functions as a pastor for the troops. She participates in chapel services every Sunday, often preaching the sermon. Through the week, she focuses on being available to the soldiers.

“In the morning, I’ll go out with them when they do physical training, so they can see I’m there. I try to be available whenever a soldier needs me,” Small said before being deployed.

“One of my other chaplain friends says, ‘If it stinks, then you want to be there.’ If I am 100 percent comfortable, then something’s wrong. That’s my check,” Small said.

Safe in God’s will

In considering her imminent deployment, Small talked about her concerns.

“I am obviously afraid of certain things,” Small said. “I’m afraid of not being with my husband, not being with my family. But most of all, I’m afraid of choosing to do the lesser thing — allowing what is comfortable or easy to do, to keep me from doing what God has called me to do.

The daily mission

These are strong words, coming from a big faith. Small takes each day as it comes, each assignment as it comes. She knew deployment would be a huge step in her growth— both personally and professionally. But her focus is on her daily mission of ministering to soldiers. If she has done that, she feels all is right with the world.

“One day, a soldier brought in a new soldier for processing,” Small said. “He paid me the highest compliment. He said, ‘You’ll see her a lot. She’s always out at the gun line with us.’”